Psalm for Sunday, January 1, 2017

Reflections

Psalm 67:  2-3, 5, 6, 8  (Read)
 
“May God bless us and may He let his face 
shine upon us.”
 
So much that God does for us is contained 
in this verse from the Psalm.   God gives us 
his grace through his son Jesus, who is our 
Savior.  God gives us material blessings –
all our treasure and gifts are from Him.
Moreover, He gives us spiritual blessings 
as well; these are called by St Paul the 
fruits of the spirit.

We all want God’s blessings, as the Psalm 
says.  Since the time of Moses, God’s chosen 
people have reached out for God’s blessing.
The petition in the Psalm is rooted in the early 
books of scripture; our psalmist recalls an early
priestly blessing given to Moses,  “The Lord 
let his face shine upon you and be gracious
to you.”  (Nm 6 : 25)

St Paul (2nd reading) confirms that God sent 
the Spirit of his Son into our hearts,  so we could 
cry out “Abba, Father.”  (Gal 4: 6)  
The psalm predicts that God’s saving power shall 
be known among all the nations (including ourselves).  
God conveys that same message to the Mother 
of our Lord in this week’s Gospel.  (Luke 2: 15-20) 
The shepherds from distant lands hear the news  
that our Savior is born; they return glorifying and 
praising God.  The Psalm also guides people like us 
to shout for joy,  “May the peoples praise you, God;
may all the peoples praise you!”

The Psalm calls for the way of the Lord to become
known upon earth among all the nations.  Indeed 
the Psalm predicts that God’s saving power shall 
be known among all the peoples.
Thankfully, that includes us.

Amen

Discussion Questions for Reflection

1.  The Psalm petitions God to 'let his face shine upon us.'  What does it mean 

to you, especially during this Octave of the Nativity, that God would let his face 

shine upon you?

2.  Our psalmist calls for God's salvation to be known among all the nations.   

How would you relate this verse to the birth of our Savior?